Order Of The Black: Deluxe Edition (CD & DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)After being summarily dumped by Ozzy Osbourne for drinking too much and making Ozz sound like B.L.S., Zakk made a hasty self-imposed retreat to the Black Label bunker to regroup. The result is a brutal and sometimes beautiful return to Sonic Brew, Book Of Shadows, and Stronger Than Death. All SDMF's know blood cots, alcohol, and being released from "The Bosses" gig wasn't gonna stop him. Refreshed and inspired, Zakk puts together an excellent collection of brewtality and what few people realize, Zakk is a total musician at his core. One of the hardest working performers out there and one of metal's last true guitar heroes. Berzerker's rejoice, Order Of The Black indeed!!!!
01. Crazy Horse - Zakk wastes no time and the first track is excellent. Could have been from Stronger Than Death and a precursor to what the listener is in for.
Great start for a strong album. 9/10
02. Overlord - Great riff with the classic Zakk tone. Song sticks in your head after just a few listens. 8.5/10
03. Parade Of The Dead - Another go for the throat song continuing the punishing assault on the listener. Classic B.L.S. with drummer Will Hunt pounding the skins like a man possessed. Great tune with palm muted riffing and insane pinch harmonics only Zakk can deliver. 10/10
04. Darkest Days - after being pummeled for the first 3 tracks, Zakk shifts gears Book Of Shadows style with a piano fused ballad. It's a nice change a pace and illustrates he is first and foremost a musician, and not just a shredder. 8/10
05. Black Sunday - opens with a dizzying, blistering legato lead. The pedal is back to the floor and this tune reminds me of something from Sonic Brew. Another strong track with a tight rhythm section from bassist John DeServio and drummer Will Hunt. 8.5/10
06. Southern Dissolution - Classic Zakk with heavy riffage, pinch harmonics, and a Southern rock/Sabbath feel. Another solid rocking tune B.L.S. All killer no filler on this release. 8/10
07. Time Waits For No One - Another piano ballad and a good one, Book Of Shadows style. A nicely paced disc, needed after such adrenaline filled tunes in succession.
Excellent solo on a disc filled with them. 8/10
08. Godspeed Hell Bound - Will Hunt is excellent on this cd and starts another killer track with a sonic assault on his drum kit. Great tone again from Zakk, and this tune brings the cd Stronger Than Death to mind. Nice mid-tempo pace change mid song building nicely into Zakk's solo. 8.5/10
09. War Of Heaven - at the risk of sounding redundant, another punishing B.L.S. bezerker track. Classic SDMF tracks with everything you want and expect. 8.5/10
10. Shallow Grave - another strong piano ballad to slow the pace. You can see the pattern where B.L.S. kicks your a$$ then lets you recover only to have your ears bl&*d again. 8/10
11. Chupacabra - wicked acoustic solo in the T.A.Z. vein that doesn't dissappoint the listener. Insane chicken pickin and fretboard blistering licks in 51 seconds of glorious shred. 8.5/10
12. Riders Of The Damned - One of my personal faves and a great riff. Cool piano section mid-tune, into another Wylde solo. DeServio and Hunt are solid together and this track is no exception. 8.5/10
13. January - an acoustic ballad and a solid one. 8/10
14. Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Amazon bonus) - Originally done by Simon and Garfunkel, Zakk adds his personal touch to this song. A decent version of a classic that fans will either love or hate. Always liked this song but i would have preferred this disc go out heavy. Nonetheless, that is my only gripe with an otherwise return to form for Zakk. 8/10
Everything a B.L.S. fan could want is in here. Don't even think about not purchasing this release if you haven't already. A must have for guitar fans, or metal fans in general. 8.75-9/10. Just about 4.5 stars but 5 stars are in order.
Thank you for reading!!!!

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In the two decades since Ozzy Osbourne hired him away from his job at a New Jersey gas station to become his new guitarist, Zakk Wylde has established himself as a guitar icon known and revered the world over. Writing and recording with Osbourne led to multi-Platinum success, inspiring him to create the now legendary Black Label Society in 1998. In the decade plus since, BLS has turned the notion of what a rock band should be upside down by inspiring legions of fans(known as Berserkers)all over the world to follow the mantra: Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever (SDMF for short). Wylde and his Berserkers have established a heavy metal institution true to the vision of uncompromising, unfiltered and unrestrained rock n' roll.
The deluxe edition of Order Of The Black includes a bonus DVD featuring behind-the-scenes footage, performances and commentary (run time: 50 minutes).
Track listing:
1. Crazy Horse
2. Overlord
3. Parade of the Dead
4. Darkest Days
5. Black Sunday
6. Southern Dissolution
7. Time Waits for No One
8. Godspeed Hellbound
9. War of Heaven
10. Shallow Grave
11. Chupacabra
12. Riders of the Damned
13. January

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